ACORN: The bad seed

Americans for Limited Government has the right idea. ACORN needs to be cracked open so their misdeeds can see the light of day. Just another one of Obama's tax payer funded "community organizations" practicing fraud and undermining our economy...

"Americans for Limited Government today announced the launching of a new nationwide campaign, StopAcorn.org, urging President Bush to investigate allegations of serious wrongdoing by the left-wing community action organization ACORN.

“With the launching of StopAcorn.org, and a massive outreach efforts to grassroots activists nationwide,” ALG president Bill Wilson said, “we are today asking the President to defend our country by launching immediate investigations into a wide range of possible ACORN illegal activities.

“These range from voter fraud, for which ACORN has already been implicated in more than a dozen states this year alone, to the pivotal role ACORN played in bringing about the financial collapse Americans are enduring today.”

According to Wilson, ACORN’s voting fraud abuses have allegedly occurred nationwide, including:

• Michigan, where municipal clerks have reported that ACORN has been responsible for fraudulent and duplicate voter registration applications statewide.
• Seattle, Washington, where felony charges have been filed against ACORN in the states largest voter-fraud case ever.
• New Mexico, where officials in Bernalillo County have notified federal authorities of more than 1,000 fraudulent voter registration cards, with ACORN as the prime suspect.
• And Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where election officials have accused ACORN of filing multiple fraudulent voter registrations during the 2008 primary.

“These incidents are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg,” Wilson said. “And it’s an iceberg fully intended to chill the rights of honest citizens across the country. Now, to make matters worse, ACORN is attempting to run away from its complicity in corrupting our financial markets by conniving with left-wing politicians to forcing banks to make sub-prime loans to unqualified home buyers.”

According to Wilson, ACORN began pressuring banks to issue high-risk “affirmative action” loans under the Community Reinvestment Act (CRA) as far back as 1977. And, in fact, ACORN leader, Madeline Talbott has admitted “dragging banks kicking and screaming” into what had theretofore been considered highly dubious loans for bad-credit risks. ACORN also was able to profit from its community pressure tactics by positioning itself as an “advisor” to banks seeking regulatory approval.

In response to ACORN’s nationwide track record of voter fraud and coercive high-risk loan activities, StopAcorn.org is calling upon President Bush to take the following actions:

• Direct the Attorney General to investigate the voter registration programs of ACORN to determine the extent to which a coordinated effort at voter fraud has been undertaken.
• Direct the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to conduct an immediate audit of all tax money sent to ACORN or any of its affiliates to determine if public money has been diverted to partisan political operations and to refer any evidence of such diversion to the appropriate U.S. Attorney for prosecution.
• Direct the Secretary of State and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency to investigate the efforts of ACORN International in efforts to undermine democratically elected governments and to determine the full extent of the relationship between ACORN and ACORN International with the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.

“Through highly questionable activities, ACORN has clearly undermined our electoral system. And with its outrageous efforts to force government to underwrite sub-prime loans, ACORN played a primary role in undermining our financial system as well. It’s time for the President to bring the full force of the law to bear in exposing this radical organization’s destructive activities.”

Hey Congress, Get those bonuses back!

They cooked the books, lied to Congress and betrayed the public trust. Should they get to walk away with millions in ill-gotten gains? The Traditional Values Coalition is making it easy for you to let Congress know what you think about those Clinton administration brainiacs who decided that fleecing the public was part of their job description.

Let Congress Know How Mad You Are
About Corrupt Executives
Demand They Return Those Bonuses!

Corrupt executives and Wall Street financiers have made a mess of the mortgage business and many have escaped with multi-million dollar bonuses

"There is a lot of talk on Wall Street and Capitol Hill about a $700 billion taxpayer-funded bailout but little talk of recouping the outrageous "performance bonuses" paid to the very executives who engineered this disaster.

A good example is Franklin Raines, former head of Fannie Mae, who recently settled a case with the U.S. government over his alleged involvement in overstating profits to the tune of more than $6 billion. Raines, who received total compensation of more than $91.1 million between 1998 and 2004, is keeping virtually all of that money! He will likely ride out the coming financial storm at his luxury vacation home in Bermuda while the rest of America struggles to pay their winter heating bills and fill up their gas tanks.

According to the U.S. Census, the median household income last year was $50,233.00. But according to Bloomberg News, the five biggest Wall Street firms - the same entities that created this mess - in 2007 paid out $38 BILLION in bonuses, for an average of $201,500 per employee or four times the median income - and this is the BONUS we're talking about, not their salaries and other perks.

Some examples:

• Lehman Brothers Chairman and CEO Richard Fuld Jr. received $34 million. Lehman recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

• AIG chief executive, Martin Sullivan, received $14 million in compensation. Sullivan was fired last June and AIG recently received an $85 billion taxpayer-funded bailout.

• Merrill Lynch CEO John Thain received $17 million. Bank of America is acquiring Merrill Lynch at a sizeable discount.

We at Traditional Values Coalition want to know, "Where is the outrage? Why aren't these executives being hauled before Congress and the courts to explain themselves, to repay their bonuses BEFORE we're asked to pay our taxes?

While the American taxpayer may not have billions in bonus money, we do have one thing going for us: A very nervous Congress facing reelection. NOW is the time to sound off to tell your lawmakers how you feel about this outrage.

Please CLICK HERE to sound off and demand that Congress examine every bonus, and where unethical behavior/fraud is discovered, make sure that the money is returned to offset at least some of what is being asked of each of us. Remember, it's YOUR money they're talking about."

CFL = Contaminated For Life

A re-run of Law & Order on TNT this evening was about 9/11. In the story, a woman invites the investigating detectives into her home to talk so she can keep an eye on her husband who is in a hospital bed. Her husband , who worked at Ground Zero for weeks, is dying from leukemia.

The woman tells the detectives that his leukemia was caused by mercury poisoning, "from all the busted fluorescent light bulbs."

The ban on incandescent light bulbs begins to go into effect in 2012 but the public has nothing to fear from the new Compact Fluorescent Lights (CFL).

All you have to do is follow the simple clean-up rules for a broken CFL: ventilate, evacuate, and destroy everything your broken mercury bulb has come into contact with or contaminated. If you have a few extra thousand bucks lying around, you can call for a professional cleanup. If not, just seal off the contaminated room in your house for eternity.

Thanks for this great nanny state ban, algore!

Quote of the Day

Obama’s “Police State Tactics”

"In past reports, I have warned about the disturbing efforts of leftwing activists and the Obama campaign to try to silence voices of opposition – from targeting radio stations that host debates between Obama supporters and those who oppose him to asking the Justice Department to prosecute the creator of a television advertisement that sought to expose Obama’s connections to leftwing radicals.

Last week, Missouri Governor Matt Blunt spoke out against attempts by Obama supporters to intimidate his political opponents with the power of Big Government. According to various reports, several Missouri public officials who support Barack Obama, including one county sheriff and a number of state attorneys, have formed a so-called “truth squad” to vet campaign ads. If this “truth squad” doesn’t like an ad, “they plan to respond immediately to any ads and statements that violate Missouri’s ethics laws.”

Governor Blunt said the action has “attached the stench of police state tactics to the Obama-Biden campaign. What Senator Obama and his helpers are doing is scandalous beyond words, the party that claims to be the party of Thomas Jefferson is abusing the justice system and offices of public trust to silence political criticism with threats of prosecution and criminal punishment.”

The Obama campaign is using similar hardball tactics to get NRA ads pulled off the air in Ohio and Pennsylvania. The Obama campaign’s top attorney has reportedly sent “cease and desist” letters to stations airing the ads warning them that the Federal Communication Commission may revoke their broadcasting licenses.

If candidate Obama is this aggressive in targeting his critics before an election, how do you think “President Obama” will act in the Oval Office? If Democrats win control of all three branches of government on November 4th, the “Fairness Doctrine” will shut down conservative talk radio and “hate crimes” laws will silence conservative pastors."

Gary Bauer
Campaign for Working Families

Enough Already! No New Government Entitlements

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council Action President, gives a run down on the House vote against the bailout. With the help of Democrats, Republicans stood their grounds against another Socialist government take over which the majority of the public oppose.

Seeing Red

Reflecting a national mood of deep popular mistrust in both parties, the House of Representatives voted down the bailout measure this afternoon, 228-205. Stocks headed sharply south. President Bush announced himself "disappointed" and the White House says he will huddle with his advisers this afternoon.

Earlier today, after a week of negotiating, the Congress and President Bush came to an agreement on a bailout plan. The Republican House Leadership and Senator John McCain (R-Ariz.) deserve praise for trying to inject conservative principles into the rescue plan.

While the current proposal fell short of upholding conservative ideals, the Congressional conservatives played an important role in keeping out the already-borderline socialistic White House proposal and some Hugo Chavezesque suggestions from the Democrats, such as allowing judges to set mortgage rates and creating a slush fund for liberal groups like ACORN.

However, the final plan did not reform what has created the problem nor did it adequately explain how the taxpayers get their money back. Moreover, the bailout seemed to create a new entitlement in a federal insurance system for every home loan in America. Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) also highlighted changing the proposal's original scope to include a federal bailout of failed city governments, making all U.S. taxpayers responsible for disastrous city councils.

Responsibility is a lost word for many nowadays. Maybe the House vote signals more effort to restore that responsibility.

Additional Resources
NYT: House Rejects Bailout Package, 228-205; Stocks Plunge

Sign the UN Petition for the Unborn Child

Austin Ruse, President of the Catholic Family and Human Rights Institute (C-FAM) needs your help to protect the unborn. C-FAM is the only pro-life group working exclusively on UN social policy.

"The UN will celebrate the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights this December 10th.

To celebrate this occasion, radical pro-abortion groups intend to present the UN General Assembly with petitions calling for a universal right to abortion.

The largest, richest and most powerful pro-abortion groups are even now planning their attack on the unborn at the General Assembly.

Campaigns are being waged right now by International Planned Parenthood Federation and Maire Stopes International, the two groups responsible for more abortions than any other groups in the world. Both are beloved of the powers that be at the UN; and their efforts to promote an international right to abortion are welcomed by many UN Member States, perhaps most of the UN bureaucracy, and powerful US foundations that give millions to promote abortion at the UN and around the world.

We must stop them this December.

I am writing to ask you to sign a petition calling on UN Members States to interpret the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as protecting the unborn child from abortion. Did you know that the Universal Declaration calls for a right to life? Did you know that UN committees now interpret that as a right to abortion? We can stop them.

Please go HERE to sign the petition which we will present at the UN on December 10th, the celebration of the 60th Anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. At the very least we must match what the pro-abortion advocates will present to the UN that day! They will present thousands and thousands of names. WE MUST MATCH THEM!

Go HERE to sign the petition and then please send this email to all of your family and friends. Our goal is to present 50,000+ names to the General Assembly. We need your help right now to block the pro-aborts from making huge progress for abortion at the UN.

We are going to run this campaign for the next six weeks. There is plenty of time to get this petition to everyone in your address book and all around the world. This is an international right. Please help us now.

Imagine the look on their faces when we slam down 50,000 names! Be a part of that. Sign the petition HERE and send this all over the world."

Muslim converts to Christianity finally granted refugee status

Jay Sekulow, Chief Counsel for the American Center for Law and Justice reports on a precedent-setting victory in the United Kingdom.

"An immigration court of appeals in the United Kingdom has, for the first time, recognized the plight of Syrian Evangelical Christians with Muslim backgrounds seeking asylum in the United Kingdom.

In this precedent-setting victory, the European Centre for Law and Justice (the ECLJ, based in Strasbourg, France) represented the young couple (whose identity is being withheld to protect their safety) who was granted refugee status in the U.K. The court recognized that if the couple returned to Syria - the country of origin of the husband - they would face very real physical threats, possibly resulting in their deaths. The court granted the appeal on both asylum and human rights grounds.

The couple, former adherents of Islam, converted to Evangelical Christianity (the husband in 2003 and the wife in 2005) and thereafter became open witnesses of the Christian faith to Muslims through Internet chat rooms.

As a result of their conversion, which is deemed apostasy under Sharia law and subject to death, the couple began receiving death threats including a video of a beheading. The husband's family told him that if he did not return to Islam, the family would move against him and ''wash their shame'' - a phrase that he was told meant he would be put to death.

In its landmark decision, the court recognized that a true commitment to Evangelical Christianity requires evangelism, and that the circumstances of such converts to Evangelicalism in the Muslim world do pose a serious threat to life.

This is a significant and groundbreaking decision that clearly puts the focus on the fact that many converts to Christianity from Islam face real danger, including the ultimate penalty of death. This important decision will not go unnoticed in the international arena, and we're delighted that it provides protection for Christian converts who are at great risk because of their faith and their desire to share it.

''This is truly a landmark day in the United Kingdom as a nation awakens to the ever-growing threat of radical Islam and the plight of Christians in the Middle East,'' said Roger Kiska, Legal Counsel of the ECLJ. ''I couldn't be happier with the decision and the role that the ECLJ played in the case.''

The ECLJ worked closely with the ACLJ on this issue. The organizations provided legal advice and support throughout the case, as well as the only key expert testimony at the hearing on the threat posed to converts from Islam in Syria.

The ACLJ also enlisted the assistance of six members of the U.S. Congress who sent a letter to the U.K. appeals court in August urging asylum for the couple. They asked the appeals court to protect the couple, acknowledging that they ''would face severe religious persecution as a result of their conversion from Islam to Christianity.''

The letter also recognized the couple faced a ''credible threat,'' and that their lives were in danger. The letter concluded:

''....based upon the United Kingdom's strong history of protecting religious refugees, we strongly urge the government of the United Kingdom to spare (the couple) and grant religious asylum in this case.''

Victories like this are made possible because of the support of members like you! Thank you for your commitment to religious liberty wherever it is threatened."

Lt. Governor Bill Bolling sets an example for Governor Kaine

Lead, follow or get out of the way. Governor Kaine ignored reality; overreaching in his attempt to leave a legacy of exploding government programs for Virginians to maintain. Now it's up to the party of fiscal conservatives to lead the way out of Kaine's signature folly. All he ever wanted to was to raise taxes at least as much as Democrat Mark Warner's historic tax increase on the citizens of our fair state -- just another liberal trying to take the "wealth" out of the Commonwealth with the tyranny of taxation.

BOLLING VOLUNTARILY CUTS LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR’S OFFICE BUDGET BY 7.5%

In response to significant shortfalls in the 2008-2010 state budget, Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling has announced that the Office of the Lieutenant Governor will implement voluntary budgetary reduction actions to return funds totaling 7.5% of its fiscal year 2009 appropriation to the State Treasury. These budget shortfalls are largely a result of inaccurate revenue estimates by the Kaine Administration.

“As Lieutenant Governor, I have been a consistent advocate for controlling state spending and keeping government focused on its core responsibilities,” Lieutenant Governor Bolling said. “As a result of the inaccurate revenue estimates presented by Governor Kaine in 2007, tough decisions lie ahead as we work to balance the state budget. However, these challenges also present us with an opportunity to look for further efficiencies in state government and implement other strategies to assure that we are spending the taxpayers’ money more effectively.”

Additional reports on Lieutenant Governor’s spending reductions and the state budget crisis.

Lt. Governor cuts expenses (The Shad Plank - Daily Press)

“Bolling conceded that his actions amount to "a drop in the bucket" when it comes to a state budget shortfall that could approach $2.9 billion. However, he's preached on the value holding government spending to a minimum, so if nothing else, he is walking the walk.”

Attorney General, Lieutenant Governor Announce Cuts As State Face $3 Billion Shortfall (WRVA)

“Two days after learning the state could be facing a $3 billion shortfall, both Attorney General Bob McDonnell (R) and Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling (R) have announced cuts to their budgets . . . Bolling's cuts amount to 7.5% of his budget.”

McDonnell-Bolling demonstrate leadership on budget; will Kaine, Deeds, Moran follow? (Bearing Drift blog)

“As you are well aware by now, the commonwealth is some $2-3 billion in the hole because Jody Wagner, former Secretary of Finance and Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, forgot to carry ‘the one’. Regardless of how we got here though, now is time for state “leaders” to demonstrate what they’re made of. You can get no clearer picture on how government should respond than by looking at the leadership of Lieutenant Governor Bill Bolling and Attorney General Bob McDonnell.”

Budget ills put target on Wagner (Richmond Times-Dispatch)

“As Virginia's top numbers-cruncher for more than two years -- years marked by muff-ups and miscalculations -- Wagner, to Republicans, is a poster child for a budget gone bad . . . There are legitimate reasons for taking a hammer to Wagner, and Bolling -- a potential firewall for a GOP doing a better job of losing than winning -- may be able to wield it in 2009. The Kaine administration's fiscal sins, perceived and actual, are numerous.”

Obama: Using intimidation to hide his anti-gun record

That Obama is at it again - leaning on businesses and threatening anyone who dares to expose his F(-) grade on gun rights. He's using all the Chicago style thuggery at his disposal right now to silence his critics at the National Rifle Association.

Despite his denials, he just can't stand all those clingy bible thumping gun owners, it seems. So much for all that liberal tolerance the left espouses. Evidently, he'd like to turn Americans into "citizens of the world" like the poor suckers in some of those socialist countries, where defending your home and family will earn you a long prison sentence.

Right now, Obama is busy trampling all over the First Amendment in order to conceal his contempt for the Second Amendment. He's been telling everyone who will listen that he won't take your guns but who do you believe, a Marxist or the NRA?

Learn more about Barack Obama's elitist views concerning your gun rights at

GunBanObama.com

The NRA web site will give you the facts about Barack Obama's radical anti-gun record and his nefarious plan to change the Second Amendment. There's also a very funny photo of the big Zero which proves Saturday Night Live would have no problem doing a weekly send up of Barry, if they weren't so sexist.

Question of the Day

A scientist recently had his security clearance revoked because of his unsavory associations, according to an AP article at Newsmax.com.

The U.S. Government says this fellow was cozy with "a saboteur, spy, terrorist, traitor, seditionist, anarchist, or revolutionist, espionage agent, or representative of a foreign nation whose interests are inimical to the interest of the United States."

So here's the question of the day...

If our government can fire someone for this type of activity because of the national security risk they present, how can the American people even consider hiring a U.S. Senator, whose friends and mentors are cut from the same cloth, for the top job in the nation?

Quote of the Day

"As our next President and Vice President, John McCain and Sarah Palin will work to cut government spending and taxes.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden want to raise your taxes and increase the size of government.

John McCain and Sarah Palin will make sure American soldiers return home in victory and with honor.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden want to leave before the job is finished in Iraq--even when faced with overwhelmingly evidence that we are winning.

John McCain and Sarah Palin want to provide energy security for America through an “all of the above” strategy that includes off-shore drilling.

Barack Obama and Joe Biden continue to resist calls to put America on a path of oil independence.

Friend, these are only three issues but there are many more where John McCain and Sarah Palin are fighting for the conservative issues that you and I care so deeply about and Barack Obama and Joe Biden are fighting for their liberal agenda.

As we have seen this past week with the economic crisis our country faces, we need conservative leadership in the White House -- and in Congress!"

Tom Cole, M.C.
Chairman
National Republican Congressional Committee

John McCain: The debate showed major differences

Senator John McCain is a true patriot, no mistake about that. Here's a post-debate statement from the Republican Candidate for President.

"Last night, Senator Obama and I participated in the first debate of the general election. It was a spirited debate and I believe the difference between our visions for America were made very clear.
I have returned to Washington to resume negotiations with the Administration and Congressional leaders from both parties to forge a bipartisan solution to our economic crisis. I am optimistic we will come to a final agreement soon. All voices must be represented in the final agreement, especially those of taxpayers and homeowners.

We cannot be interested in who would get credit for finding a solution and who would be blamed if an agreement cannot be reached. We must put our country first to solve this economic crisis. Because in the end, that's what leaders do in times of crisis.

Our next president and Congress will face challenging times that require selfless leadership. They must find solutions to issues like the economy, national security, and energy independence. I'm ready to work with Governor Palin and our Congressional allies to address the nation's most pressing challenges. Make no mistake, we are ready to lead and the Obama-Biden Democrats are not."

John McCain

Notes from the Round-Up and the First Debate, etc.

The threat of rain didn't dampen anyone's spirits at the 4th Annual Republican Round-Up, held today at Innsbrook Pavilion in Glen Allen, Virginia. In fact, the event brought out a record crowd to enjoy family fun, great barbecue, and rally for the Republican ticket. One of the most popular spots was the McCain-Palin table where bumper stickers and yard signs were the hot item of the day.

Republican leaders and candidates were on hand aplenty but the featured speaker, Congressman Eric Cantor, wasn't able to leave Washington until the event was nearly over. He was busy at the Capitol working to find an acceptable bank-rescue solution for the people in his 7th District, Virginia, and for all Americans.

Click here to read Lawrence Kudlow's article on Congressman Cantor's excellent idea for a "federal bond insurance guarantee for straight mortgage-backed paper, financed by private-sector insurance premiums."

Despite the spin from the 'Main Stream Media for Obama' consortium, John McCain won the debate. At least that was the opinion at today's Republican Round-Up and elsewhere.

Commenting on Barack Obama's performance, viewers said he was "arrogant"; he acted like "a jerk"; he "lacked specifics"; his conduct, his constant interrupting, and his smirking was "disrespectful"; and he "still refuses to admit when he makes a mistake."

On the other hand, this small unscientific sampling felt that "McCain held his own in the economic portion and tore Obama up in the 2nd part on foreign policy." It was noted that Obama appeared to be taking cues from someone in the audience and there was a concern over whether 'Mr. Smooth' had been given the questions in advance.

In the debate, Obama had the unflattering and annoying appearance of a condescending professor. For all his rudeness, he agreed with McCain eight times in the debate and his slap down later from Henry Kissinger made him look foolish.

Elsewhere, McCain is the hands down leader on all the AOL polls which, although also unscientific, have never been wrong, according to one AOL subscriber who has helped her Hillary-loving parents become Democrats for McCain.

Quote of the Day

"What has been done in the last 12 hours by liberals in Congress and their media allies is outrageous and disgraceful.

• Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Harry Reid demanded that conservatives in the House vote for a deal that reflected none of the conservative free market ideas! If the deal is so good, why don’t Reid and Pelosi line up their members and pass it – they are the majority party in control of Congress. They don’t need GOP votes. But they want the GOP to be complicit if the idea fails.
  
  
• The same Harry Reid that demanded earlier this week that Senator John McCain get involved in the proceedings, today is demanding that McCain drop out of the negotiations. Why? Because Senator McCain supported the House Republicans yesterday at the White House and insisted on safeguards for taxpayers and transparency. Senator McCain has a well-documented history of opposing big government and pork barreling efforts that waste taxpayer money, and he isn’t about to change now. Thank you, Senator McCain!
  
  
• Big Media has been universally blaming Sen. McCain for the breakdown in the negotiations. That is ludicrous on its face. Senator McCain has one vote in the Senate, just like Senator Obama. In fact, at the White House meeting, it was Senator Obama who spoke for the Democrats and appeared to be more interested in scoring cheap political debating points than in finding a solution. Leaks from the meeting suggest that Obama would not stop talking, and the more he pushed his socialist ideas, the more the deal fell apart.
  
  
• Big Media continues to ignore the role of liberal Democrat policies in causing this mess – from overspending to pressuring banks to give loans to segments of the population that couldn’t repay them. They protected the scandalous activity at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that went on for years and voted down every effort by the GOP to clean up that mess. (Here’s a great explanation of their culpability in today’s New York Post.)

What now? Congress and the White House are back to negotiations and will stay in session tomorrow. Tonight’s presidential debate will reportedly take place as scheduled, but I strongly suspect there will be more discussion of economic policy than foreign policy as originally planned.

In the meantime, the financial meltdown continues. Pelosi, Frank, Reid and their Big Media allies are hoping they can use this mess to kill Sen. McCain’s chances in November and give us REAL socialism in January 2009.

Ultimately, that is up to you. You will decide who wins this debate and who decides the future course of our country in just 39 days when you go to the polls on November 4th. We will do everything we can to promote free markets, lower taxes and less government."

Gary Bauer
Campaign for Working Families
excerpt

Say “No” Bogus Bailout And Demand Real Solutions From Congress!

Grassfire is asking everyone to call the President, their Senators and Representatives and other key leaders and demand a real FREE MARKET solution to the crisis -- not a mad rush to statism and socialism that consolidates more power in the hands of federal bureaucrats.

"Now, the truth is coming out about the Bogus Bailout. More than 100 economists signed a letter to Congress opposing the Bogus Bailout. And new reports indicate that Democrats are trying to add tens of billions in pork for pet liberal projects to the bailout.

Americans opposing Bogus Bailout 10-to-1. The good news is Americans are starting to take a stand. Rush Limbaugh is reporting that phone calls to Capitol Hill are running 10-to-1 AGAINST the Bogus Bailout.

We do need action from Congress on the economic situation, but we cannot accept a Bogus Bailout that turns more control of our lives over to the government and is nothing more than socialism!"

The White House: 202-456-1111

Sen. Warner 202-224-2023
Sen. Webb 202-224-4024

Rep. Cantor 202-225-2815

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid: 202-224-3542

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnnell 202-224-2541

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi: 202-225-4965

House Minority Leader John Boehner: 202-225-6205


Also call...

Sen. John McCain: 202-224-2235

Sen. Barack Obama: 202-224-2854

A Second Amendment Video You Need to See

John L. Gress, BlueRidge Conservative Coalition Director, passed on this interesting video link...

A woman's testimony before the Texas legislature sub-committee on gun control bill of her witnessing the death of her parents being shot by a mad man, unable to defend herself and them, because of current legislation.

Don't miss the last sentence.

http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-4069761537893819675

Gov. Tim Kaine: Virginia is NOT for lovers... of Jesus Christ

Like Tanya Tucker's golden oldie, "Jamestown Ferry", It will probably be 'a hot day in January' when Virginia's Democrat Governor Eyebrow decides to defend religious freedom, at least for Christians, anyway. Or is Obama worship now the only approved "government speech" in Kaine's religious rulebook? Then again, perhaps Kaine was the governor whom Democrats really intended to compare to Pontius Pilate.

The birthplace for religious freedom in America is quickly becoming its graveyard.

"News stories broke across Virginia today concerning a case The Family Foundation became involved with last week. The superintendent of the Virginia State Police, a political appointee of Governor Tim Kaine, recently ordered State Police chaplains to cease praying “in Christ’s name.” Apparently the superintendent did this proactively, without any complaints from anyone “offended” that a chaplain had actually prayed to God.

Several of the chaplains have had the courage to resign their positions over this order.

Last week we were informed of this new policy and were put in contact with one of the chaplains involved. We then connected him with Alliance Defense Fund, one of the leading religious liberty legal advocate groups in the nation. They are currently reviewing the facts of the case to determine the proper action. Yesterday, Delegates Morgan Griffith (R-8, Salem) and Bill Carrico (R-5, Independence) slammed Governor Kaine and the State Police superintendent for this new policy in a press release, bringing this situation to light.

The superintendent says that he is basing his policy change on a recent 4^th Circuit Court decision involving prayer at government meetings, specifically a case where a pastor in the Fredericksburg area was ordered to stop praying “in Jesus name” at city council meetings. The court concluded that allowing someone to publicly pray according to his beliefs at a government meeting was an "establishment of religion" because the prayer was "government speech."

Once again the religious liberty and free speech rights of Christians have been banished from the public square. Arguing that allowing someone to offer a sectarian prayer is an “endorsement of religion” is absurd. It turns the establishment clause of the First Amendment against the free exercise clause as if the two are incompatible. Just the idea that there is such a thing as “government speech” violates the fundamental idea of America.

Our Founding Fathers must be rolling in their graves.

This situation again highlights the importance of who will be sitting on court benches deciding these cases. Ultimately it is likely that this will all be resolved by the United States Supreme Court. Because at least two justices on that court are likely to retire during the term of the next President, the judicial philosophy the candidates for president hold is a critical decision point as we determine who should receive our vote.

We will continue to work with the troopers involved in this case, the Alliance Defense Fund, and members of the General Assembly to seek an outcome where religious liberty once again stands as a pillar of strength in our Commonwealth!"

Victoria Cobb, President

The Family Foundation of Virginia

Iranian madman meets with American left-wing nuts

Birds of a feather flock together. He desires the destruction of Western civilization and they are most useful idiots.

Obama Bundler Meets With Mahmoud?

"Here’s a story you won’t hear about in the “mainstream” media. A coalition of groups representing leftwing pacifists and anti-American radicals met yesterday afternoon with Iranian “president” Mahmoud Ahmadinejad at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Manhattan. The meeting was billed as an opportunity for those on the Left to share their thoughts with Iran’s dictator about ways to “address the conflict between our governments” and to “better understand each other’s perspectives.”

Really? What is a better perspective on Ahmadinejad’s belief that the Holocaust didn’t happen or his stated desire to “wipe Israel off the map”?

I think it is safe to say that the vast majority of those attending yesterday’s meeting were supporters of Barack Obama, but one in particular, Jodie Evans, has donated the maximum $2,300 to the Obama campaign and is listed on the campaign’s website as an Obama bundler – someone who has agreed to raise between $50,000 and $100,000 for Barack Obama’s campaign. Evans is also the co-founder of the radical “blame America first” group CodePink.

After the meeting, CodePink put out a press release in which it stated, “U.S. government officials are quick to stir up hostilities with Iran, but the American people are tired of war. The peace movement represents the sentiment of the majority of Americans who want our two countries to find ways to work together and improve relations.”

Really? They want the American government to go groveling to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the way they did, to get a “better perspective” on why the Islamic Republic refuses to recognize Israel’s right to exist, supports terrorism and homicide bombings and preaches “Death to America”?

Obviously, John McCain is not their candidate. But I would hope that no American president would follow such absurd advice. Barack Obama ought to immediately denounce this outrageous meeting and return every dime that Evans has donated and raised for his campaign."

Gary Bauer
Campaign for Working Families

Sharia law is not welcome here

After seeing England submit to brutal Sharia law without a whimper, Congressman Tom Tancredo (R-Colorado) has taken steps to prevent this suicidal impulse from wafting its way to American shores.

“The best way to safeguard America against the importation of the destructive effects of this poisonous ideology is to prevent its purveyors from coming here in the first place." Congressman Tom Tancredo

Jihad Prevention Act (Introduced in House) [H.R.6975.IH]

110th CONGRESS 2d Session H. R. 6975

To require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States as a condition for admission, and for other purposes.

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

September 18, 2008

Mr. TANCREDO introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

---

A BILL

To require aliens to attest that they will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States as a condition for admission, and for other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the `Jihad Prevention Act' .

SEC. 2. INELIGIBILITY FOR ADMISSION FOR ALIENS FAILING TO MAKE ATTESTATION.

Section 212(a)(3) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1182(a)(3)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

`(G) SHARIA LAW SYSTEM- Any alien who fails to attest, in accordance with procedures specified by the Secretary of Homeland Security, that the alien will not advocate installing a Sharia law system in the United States is inadmissible.'.

SEC. 3. REVOCATION OF VISAS.

Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1201(i)) is amended by adding at the end the following: `The visa of any alien advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States shall be revoked.'.

SEC. 4. REVOCATION OF NATURALIZATION.

Section 340(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1451(a)) is amended by inserting after the first sentence the following: `Advocating the installation of a Sharia law system in the United States shall constitute a ground for revocation of a person's naturalization under this subsection.'.

A call to end the programs that put America in this mess

Americans for Limited Government opposes forcing responsible Americans to foot the bill for government foolishness and waste which dates back to the peanut farmer's administration. Sounds like an argument for term limits.

ALG Calls Upon Congress to Bring an End to Housing Welfare

September 25^th, 2008, Fairfax, VA—Americans for Limited Government President Bill Wilson today called upon Congressional leaders in a letter not to help people stay in homes they could never afford in the first place, and who would have never qualified for loans if the government had not encouraged loose lending.

The letter was addressed to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), House Republican Leader John Boehner (R-OH), Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senator Barack Obama (D-IL), and Senator John McCain (R-AZ).

“The tens of millions of American families who have played by the rules and paid their bills must not be forced to bear the burden for reckless decisions made by the government,” wrote Wilson in his letter.

In a statement, Wilson laid the blame for loose lending at the government’s feet. “Thanks to the federal government artificially setting low interest rates and using the so-called Government Sponsored Enterprises Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac as a housing welfare program, the bad loans made now threaten the greater economy.”

Wilson explained in more detail, “The government encouraged risky loans to low-income individuals via laws like the Community Reinvestment Act, plus with Clinton administration regulations of 1995 overseen by then-HUD Director Andrew Cuomo that made Fannie and Freddie the leaders in the subprime mortgage market.”

“Once the government decided via the GSEs that savings were unnecessary for potential borrowers, lending institutions nationwide followed suit,” said Wilson. “This laid the seeds for financial catastrophe. Government in its money-lending capacity sets the tone for how financial markets operate.”

As a result, Wilson believes that the Community Reinvestment Act and the 1995 regulations must be permanently repealed. According to the letter, “The government should not be encouraging loose credit to help low-income individuals to purchase homes. Instead, it must encourage honest credit so that there is not a repeat of the current mistakes. Only then will the true market demand for housing be known. The loose lending practices, and housing welfare programs administered by federal regulations and laws must be repealed.”

According to the letter, the federal government has already spent approximately $763 billion this year to stave off the current financial crisis. “You are now being asked to allocate an additional $700 billion from the American taxpayer to prevent a crisis that may be unpreventable. If it fails, the government will have wasted nearly $1.5 trillion of taxpayer funds to stop something that was going to happen anyway,” wrote Wilson.

In his statement, Wilson implored Congress not to repeat the same mistakes again: “The root cause of this problem was the government-created loose lending standards. If Congress should address anything, it should be to put an end, once and for all, to the ACORN-inspired housing welfare program that has pulled the nation’s economy into the most turbulent waters it has seen since the Great Depression.”

Obama: Just a retro kind of guy - clinging to Socialism and World Government

RPV Chairman Jeff Frederick makes a good point here, revealing the Marxist Barack Obama's "Citizen of the World' Wish List as Obama seeks to pull America into a Socialist morass.

"As our nation faces a true financial crisis brought about by greed and neglect, now more than ever, it is clear that only John McCain has the leadership and character to make America great again.

Barack Obama will take us further backwards to the days of Jimmy Carter. An Obama presidency means:

• Higher income taxes, higher gas taxes, higher taxes on capital gains;
• Deep cuts in the military, and an international policy of appeasement, not strength;
• Nationalized healthcare, little by little, and less options in your healthcare decisions;
• Global warming bureaucrats controlling every aspect of our lives;
• Chicago-style union politics running the White House."

Jeff Frederick
Chairman, Republican Party of Virginia

Obama's Posse - Crooks, Terrorists and Communists - Oh My!

The Traditional Values Coalition brings together some of the shady characters with whom Barry Obama has been associated over the years.

Obama Has An Odd Assortment Of Friends

Read more …

Quote of the Day

"In the long run, Americans have good reason to be confident in our economic strength. Despite corrections in the marketplace and instances of abuse, democratic capitalism is the best system ever devised. It has unleashed the talents and the productivity, and entrepreneurial spirit of our citizens. It has made this country the best place in the world to invest and do business. And it gives our economy the flexibility and resilience to absorb shocks, adjust, and bounce back.

Our economy is facing a moment of great challenge. But we've overcome tough challenges before -- and we will overcome this one. I know that Americans sometimes get discouraged by the tone in Washington, and the seemingly endless partisan struggles. Yet history has shown that in times of real trial, elected officials rise to the occasion. And together, we will show the world once again what kind of country America is -- a nation that tackles problems head on, where leaders come together to meet great tests, and where people of every background can work hard, develop their talents, and realize their dreams."

President George W. Bush

Source::www.whitehouse.gov

Setting aside politics to find a solution

Republicans, who have been warning about this impending implosion for years, are keeping American taxpayers' interests at the forefront as they work to achieve a bi-partisan solution, now that the Democrats have finally been forced to react to the fiasco their party created.

Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell

Main Street Needs to be Insulated from Wall Street

'The American people who were not involved in creating this situation need to be protected from the mistakes of those who were'

WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell delivered the following remarks on the Senate floor Wednesday regarding the economy:

"Sen. McCain has just announced that he is willing to suspend his campaign, set politics aside and sit down with all sides to come to a solution to the looming threats to our economy.

"That's an outstanding idea: The threats to Americans, and their homes, savings and retirements, is not a partisan problem and it won't be fixed with a partisan approach. Americans want to know that their home values and college funds and retirement accounts are safe-In other words, that the problems on Wall Street are not going to spread to Main Street. So I appreciate my colleague's proposal and I hope that it is given serious consideration.

"Mr. President, my constituents aren't calling and asking me to help their brokers - they're asking for help to protect their mortgages, their ability to grow their small business, their ability to send their kids to college. And they're worried about the security of their life savings.

"I'm concerned that if we do nothing, their savings, their ability to buy a home or finance college, and their financial security are all at serious risk.

"These aren't ordinary circumstances, and if this economic stabilization plan was nothing but a bailout for Wall Street bankers, I wouldn't have anything to do with it.

"The only reason to support this action is to save ordinary Americans from an economic disaster that they had no hand in creating. And to say that I'm more than a little mad at this situation-created largely by the bad decisions of those in the subprime housing market-is an understatement.

"But if we are to take action then it needs to put Main Street ahead of Wall Street. This isn't about bailing out investment bankers, this is about keeping the US economy from entering a downward spiral. To that end, any action we take must include the following:

Limits on executive compensation

Debt Reduction

Congressional Oversight and Transparency

Taxpayer Protection

"Executive Compensation: If weak companies are seeking government assistance, the taxpayers should expect no less than a firm limit on what kind of executive compensation might be possible for those involved in these distressed companies.

"Debt Reduction: Any proceeds that are earned from the government buying these assets and then selling them in the marketplace must be used to reduce the national debt. These revenues must not be used to pay for unrelated and unnecessary pet projects.

"Congressional Oversight and Transparency: Americans need to be able to see how their money is being used, and that it's being managed wisely. We in Congress will watch where every dollar goes to ensure there is no waste and no funny business.

"Taxpayer Protection: Americans have a right to expect that there is no fraud or abuse. It is the taxpayer and the American economy that we are protecting, and we must take steps to ensure that they are protected first.

"The American people who were not involved in creating this situation need to be protected from the mistakes of those who were. Main Street needs to be insulated from Wall Street. And that's what this plan is meant to accomplish. But we must insist on the protections I've just enumerated."

Source: www.mcconnell.senate.gov

Obama: The lights are on but no one's home

Today, Rush Limbaugh played an audio of Barack Obama telling his co-workers in the Senate, who are working to alleviate the current Jimmy Carter inspired financial crisis, "Call me if you need me."

Rush noted that Barry, the perennial candidate, does have a day job in the U.S. Senate.

And as the Democrat presidential candidate, Obama is the LEADER of his party.

Having a tantrum in Florida is his idea of leadership?

"Call me if you need me."

Americans should tell this poser, "Don't hold your breath."

John McCain: Putting America First

This afternoon John McCain put America ahead of his presidential race, in order to work for the American people, while Obama truculently said, 'No.' Sounds like someone has their priorities mixed up. Perhaps Obama was angry that Harry Reid asked for his opponent instead of the Obama Change-O-Matic. Don't worry, Obama will have three new positions on this in the next two days, guaranteed.

"Senator John McCain announced that he is suspending his campaign to return to Washington, D.C., to participate in congressional negotiations on the proposed $700 billion economic rescue plan. He called Senator Obama to inform him of this decision, and he is asking Obama to suspend his campaign and return to Washington.

Senator McCain is also asking President Bush to convene a meeting with the congressional leadership, and he has pledged to remain in Washington until a deal is reached. As a result, the first presidential debate, scheduled for Friday night, may be postponed.

As he did by supporting the surge in Iraq, Senator McCain is putting his country first and his political ambitions second. I think that speaks volumes about John McCain’s character.

It was widely reported in Capitol Hill media today that Senate Democrat Leader Harry Reid had declared that there would be no deal without Senator McCain’s support. That speaks volumes about John McCain’s influence. When Harry Reid needs to get something done in a bi-partisan manner for the good of the country, to whom does he turn?"

Gary Bauer
Campaign for Working Families

Obama: Talking the Talk but Not Walking the Walk

Tony Perkins, Family Research Council Action President, describes how Obama reaches out to social conservatives - not.

Not So Faithful

"People hoping for a lively discussion on faith and values from Sen. Barack Obama's (D-Ill.) campaign were surprised yesterday when Team Obama failed to show for a media-heavy debate. The capacity crowd that gathered at the Capitol Hill Club had expected Obama's Senior Advisor for Religious Affairs, Rev. Evna Terri La Velle, to square off with Bob Heckman, a representative from Sen. John McCain's campaign.

Just hours before the lunchtime event began, members of the sponsoring organizations, the National Clergy Council and Evangelical Church Alliance, received word that Obama's delegation of 11 had backed out. Rev. Rob Schenck, who was scheduled to moderate the debate, released a statement questioning the Obama campaign's genuine commitment to issues of concern to social conservatives.

"Democratic Party Chairman Howard Dean assured me...that his party would do everything possible to constructively engage Evangelicals, traditional Catholics, and other moral conservatives... Barack Obama has made similar promises. They did a couple of high-profile media events, but it appears they were not serious at a grassroots level."

While the Illinois senator and his campaign never shy away from talking about faith, they have missed opportunities to let that faith be examined up close to determine how it would impact their public policy positions."

Tony Perkins

Obama: The Silent Type -- Not the Leadership Type

In his latest "Chairman's Update", Jeff Frederick reminds us of that, for all his self-aggrandizing verbosity, Obama is the silent type -- at least when it comes to leadership. When it comes to taking questionable campaign contributions, he has his hand out.

The Audacity Of Silence

"When it comes time to lay blame for the recent economic turmoil surrounding the collapse of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and AIG insurance, Barack Obama has no problem speaking out when the cameras are rolling while blaming "Republican trickle down" policies.

Remember, Obama is a candidate for President, so it seems appropriate that he tell America how he would address the situation, but he is curiously silent. Silence is great if you’re on a golf course, but it’s not a comforting trait from a presidential candidate in a time of crisis. Obama’s silence was an eerie reminder that this is the same candidate who voted "present" 130 times while in the Illinois senate instead of taking a position on an issue.

Okay, so leading isn’t his "thing," but it’s important we remind people that Obama was glad to be there for "trickle down" politics when Fannie Mae was putting $126,349 into his campaign account to go easy on oversight, an amount surpassed only by the Chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, Chris Dodd of Connecticut (Mark Warner’s old boss).

Apparently, leading isn’t the strong suit for any of the D.C. Democrats. When Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) was posed the same question on what to do, his response was to adjourn, saying "nobody knows what to do."

At least he’s honest.

Democrats are less honest in acknowledging that the top three beneficiaries of Fannie Mae hush money were Democrats.

As we noted in our last update, while the Administration and Senator John McCain over the last 5 years both called repeatedly for oversight and reform of Fannie and Freddie to avert the disaster we now face, and which will cost the American taxpayer billions, Obama was nowhere to be found. Is that the kind of "leadership" this country needs?"

Jeffrey M. Frederick, Chairman
Republican Party of Virginia